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CITY

Athens

Illinois · 1,883 residents (2025 est.) · 1.684 sq mi
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The short version

Athens has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $81,192. Population has grown 22% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $164,000. At a median age of 34.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 34.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,102
+22%since 2000
from 1,726 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,248 / sq mi
+22%since 2000
from 1,025 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
34.7
−1%since 2000
from 35.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,883 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024Athens
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$81,192
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,208 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,387
+97%since 2000
from $17,981 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
55.0%
+31.4 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
9.5%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.375
+8%since 2010
from 0.346 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services8.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.9%
Retail trade2.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Education & health services1.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$164,000
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $82,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$855
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $483 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
72.4%
−4.4 ptssince 2000
from 76.8% in 2000
27.6% rent
Vacancy rate
9.5%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.6%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
62.6%
+31.0 ptssince 2009
from 31.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
+1%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
44
RELATED:See current rent listings in Athens on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.6%(1,684)
Black0.4%(7)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(22)
Asian0.2%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.7%(82)
2024
White, non-Hispanic89.2%(1,876)
Black2.7%(56)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(87)
Asian1.3%(27)
Other2.7%(56)
Diversity Score25%(526)
Diversity Score
25
+428%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.6%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.6%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 87.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.2%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 6.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.3 min
+59%since 2000
from 15.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 75.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.7%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.6%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
+1.8 ptssince 2011
from 3.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
73.0%
+5.9 ptssince 2011
from 67.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.9%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 23.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.7%
−26.3 ptssince 2009
from 64.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 43.6% in 2009
Female
55.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 56.4% in 2009
Foreign born
1.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.1%
−37.0 ptssince 2009
from 44.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2012
from 11.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.0%
−90.8 ptssince 2013
from 92.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.2%
+11.0 ptssince 2017
from 80.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2016
from 98.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 0.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Athens

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Berkshire Lakes
Pop 2,064
Places similar to Athens
Head to head

Compare Athens to nearby cities

ATHENS VS
Springfield
Income$66,064−19%
Home value$162,100−1%
Population112,989+5900%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Chatham
Income$106,773+32%
Home value$243,200+48%
Population14,579+674%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Lincoln
Income$57,340−29%
Home value$124,300−24%
Population12,981+589%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ATHENS VS
Jacksonville
Income$65,432−19%
Home value$128,200−22%
Population17,752+843%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Athens, Illinois?

Athens, Illinois has about 2,102 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Athens, Illinois?

The typical household in Athens, Illinois earns about $81,192 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Athens, Illinois expensive?

In Athens, Illinois, the median home is worth about $164,000, and the typical rent is about $855 a month.

How educated are people in Athens, Illinois?

About 24.6% of adults age 25 and over in Athens, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Athens, Illinois?

About 9.5% of people in Athens, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Athens, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Athens, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 673 residents, a change of about 47 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Athens, Illinois: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy